"Rogers enters for Hansbrough"

Doniphan native Matt Rogers recently signed with the Indiana Pacers after playing in the NBA Development League last year with the Texas Legends. In a preseason game Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls, Rogers entered the game with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter for Tyler Hansbrough, who is entering this third year with the Pacers.

Rogers did not take a shot but he did pull down two defensive rebounds and block a shot.

Hansbrough, meanwhile, led the Pacers with 24 points and 13 rebounds in a 93-85 loss to the Bulls.

Rogers is looking to make the Pacers' roster after spending training camp last year with the Charlotte Bobcats. He was later the top pick for Texas in the NBA-D League draft. The NBA requires teams to cut their roster by Christmas Eve. The Pacers open the season Monday against the visiting Detroit Pistons.

Brian Rosener has been the sports editor for the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff, Mo. since December 2001. He was born and raised in St. Louis, where he attended Lindbergh High School and Webster University. He is married to Jennifer, a Poplar Bluff native, has a son Jack, 13, who is a much better runner and swimmer, and a dog named Satchel.